Rail joint



July 11, 1933. R FARHES 1,917,832

RAIL JOINT Filed July 25, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l "a :sfiy. 2 W 1 l1 5% 1U6 (4%" 26 23 WITNESSES: E 'blNll i/EhigpRf I J1 0 er arms, "flaw.ffiJ/uq la @TORNEYS.

E11 L iL k 1 Jul M, 1933, R, FA I wnmsz RAIL JOINT Filed July 25, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet 2 M Z Flaw N l v I r 1 "ignumanaz '26! a2 WITNESSES: I NVEN TOR:

A TTORNEYS.

- Patented July 11, 1933 UNITED sures RoBERrrAB-ms, or s'r. nnvibs,PENNSYLVANIA EA'IL (rams Application filed my '25,

This invention relates to track rail joints of the customary typewherein the conti guous ends of adjoining rails are ov er'la'ipped byjoint bars which fit the side hollows of the 5 rails, and which aresecured by bolts passiiig through registering apertures in the jointbars and the webs of the rails. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a rail joint wherein spring shims are disposed 10 Within thefishing spaces betu een the oint bars and railsat particular areas ofthe'join't,

the shims having wedge shape'd tongues which are constantly andindependentlyurged outward across such fishing spacesto 15 compensatefor wear.

The principal object of the invention is to render rail jointself=tightening with capacity to compensate for wear betweentheundersides of the heads of the rails 'and the 39 subjacent surfacesofthe joint bars,- and between the base flanges-of the rails and the basesurfaces oft-hejoint bars at the regions where wear is most likely tooccur. This object' I attain, as hereinafter fully set forth,

through the provision of spring shims which are distorted from naturalshape incident to the drawing together of the oint bars when the jointis assembled, the shims having tongues whichare constantlyurgedoi'itward pair being disposed at the centerofthe joint,

with one shim ateachside of the gap between the rail ends, and withtheir wedgeshaped tongues projecting outwardly in the fishing spacesbetween'the rail heads at their ends and the top surface of thecenter'of the joint bar. I v

The present invention Queers hem, that showni'n mypending applicationfor U. 'S.

"to cross sectionalshape.

further modiiied, with a ortion ofajoi'nt 1922'. Serial No. 624,479."

Letters Pate11t, Serial No."592,26 i-, filed Feb- I ruary 11, 1932, inthat the spring shims which here utilized are d sposed interiorly of theo nt bar, with their tongues urged outwardly across the fishing spaces,whereas in theapplic'a'tion referred to,=the spring shimsareshowndisposed exteriorly oi the joint bar's with theirwedge shapedtongues urged inwardly across the fishing spaces between the barsen'drails. 7 Gther objects and advantages characteristic of myinvention'will become more appar- Gl'it'flOlIl the detailed descriptionwhich follows hereinafter, havi u reference tothe' acc'ompanyingdrawings, wherein there is illu'si hated an example orembodime'nt ofmyinvention, and certain modifications or alternative forms .whlch theinvention may take.

(3f the drawings l Fig. I represents, in perspective, a rail 76ointe'm'bodying the presentinv-ention, with a pcrtionof a joint barbroken away to'i'eveal the interior of the joint. w

ig. H represents an enlarged sideelev'ation of the rail joint-of Fig. Ii 3L Fig. 111 represents across section oflthe same, taken as indicatedby the lines III- 111 i es- L a i Fig. I-V'T'epresents a perspectiveview of one of the spring shims of the r'ailjoin't of the precedingfigures. I I

Fig. V represents a view similar 'to that of Figilll'siiowing a railjoint of my invention wherein the joint bars are modified as Fig. VIrepresents aside elevatioirof an other type ot'r'ail joint ofmyinvention wherein-the spring" shim's and jointbars are har'brohen awayto reveal the interior of the v VII represents across section of thesame, taken as indicated by. the lines *VH VH of Fig. VI. V Y

Fig. VIII represents view similar to that of Fig. VII, showing theposition occupied by the spring shim before the joint bar is drawnup.

- Fig. IX r'epresentsja cross section. of the 7 the ralls.

same, taken as indicated by the lines IXIX of Fig. VI; and,

Fig X represents a view similar to that of Fig. IX showing the positionoccupied'by the spring shim before the joint bar is drawn up.

I/Vith reference to Figs. I to IV of the drawings, the numerals 1 and 2designate adjoining rails, the numeral 3 designates the joint barswhichfit the hollows at opposite sides of the rails; and the numerals 1 and5, the center and end fastening means, in the form of clamp bolts,whereby the several parts are secured together, the bolts engagingthrough registering apertures respectively in said rails and the jointbars, all in the manner well understood in the art.

In the example of my invention shown in Figs. I to III, the joint bars 3are made of less fishing height than the fishingheight of Each joint barcomprises a head portion 6, a web portion 7 and a foot portion 8. In thefishing spacesbetween the rails 1, 2' and the joint bars 3, spring shims9, 10 are interposed, there being four such shims at each side of therail joint in the illustrated example of my invention;

Each spring shim 9, 10 is made of resilient metal and naturally assumesashape such as shown in Fig. IV, in which the web portion 11 is smoothlyrounded and the upper and lower tongues 12, 13 form an obtuse angle withthe web portion. The tongues 12,13 are tapered, presenting a. wedgeshaped cross section.

IVhen the shims 9, 10 are assembled in a rail joint, their wedgeshapedtongues 12, 13 project laterally outward in the fishing spacesbetween the surfaces 14 at the undersides of the rail headsand thesurfaces 15 of the joint bar head 6, as well as between the the slopingsurfaces 17 of the foot portions 8 of the joint bars. Incidentto thedrawing together of the joint bars 3, in the assembly of the rail joint,the web portions 11 of the spring shims 9, 10 are caused to be flattenedagainst the web 18 of the rail. To illustrate this distortion fromnatural shape, there is shown in Fig. III, in broken lines at 19, thecurvature which is normally assumed by the web portions 11 of the springshims 9, 10. WVhen the oint bars 3 are drawn together by tightening thenuts 20 on the bolts 4, 5, the resulting flattening of the spring shims9, 10 causes their wedge shaped tongues 12, 13 to be drawn inward andto; assume a less obtuse 'angle with the web portion 11 than is normallythe case. Accordingly, the tongues 12, 13 are placed under stress,incident to the drawing together ofthe joint bars 3, and they areconstantly urged outwardly across the fishing spaces so that as wearoccurs in the rail and joint bar surfaces at these spaces,

withthe end shim 9 on the rail 1, and likethe tongues spring outwardlyand take up or compensate for the wear.

The center shims 9, 10 are disposed at each side of the gap between therails 1, 2 and are each split at their upper ends to form two separatesections 21, 22, one of greater width than the other. The section 21 isdisposed adjacent to the end of the rail 1. Similarly the end shims 9,10 are split at their base portions to form separate sections 23, 21.Thus along the length ofthe rail joint there are a series of tonguesections 21, 22, 23, 24., independently urged outward across the fishingspaces, and if the wear is more pronounced at certain regions ratherthan at others, the tongue sections at the particular regions wherepronounced wear occurs have capacity to flex independently of the othertongue sections and thus to compensate for ineven wear. Ordinarily thewear is most. pronounced at the center of a rail joint be- 'neath'therail heads and at the ends of the joint above the rail flanges. For thisreason I prefer to employ-the relatively short tongue sections 21, 23 atthese areas. Obviously, however, the shims contemplated by thisinvention may take a variety of different forms. In the form illustratedthe center shim 9011 the rail 1 is identical and interchangeable wisethecenter shim 10 on the rail 2 is identical and interchangeable with theend shim 10 on the rail.

InFig. V there is shown a modification of my" invention in which adifferent type of joint bar is employed. The joint bar 3a-therc shown isprovided with longitudinal inward- 1y projecting ribs 25, 26. The ribs25, 26

bear upon the web portions 11 of the spring shims 9, 10,-and cause thespring shims to be flattened against the web 13 of the rail incident tothe drawing together of the joint bars. In the regions above and belowthe ribs 25, 26, the oint bars 3a are cut away as indicated at 27 and28, respectively, so as not to interfere with the flexureof the tongues12, 13 at these regions, it being important that there be no obstructionto the change in shape of the shims aswear occurs so that their tonguesmay move outward freely to compensate for 7 such wear. 1 I V In Flgs. VIto X,inclus1ve, there is shown a further modification of my invention inwhich separate head and base shims are employed. The-head shims aredesignated at 29 occupy just prior to the drawing to joint above" thebase flanges of the rails. In Figs. VII and VIII, the base shuns 31 Vand-32 are clearly shown. In Fig. VIII these shims are shown in theposition which they gether of the joint bars 36 by tightening of thenuts 20 on the bolts 5; In this position the base shims 31, 32 havetheir fiat inner end portions bearing against the webs of the joint bars3).),

and there is a smoothly rounded curve in the body portion 36 of theshims between theirinner end portions 35 and their wedge shapet tongues53?. T he tongues 37 pro ect outwardly in the fishing spaces at therecessed areas S held against upward movement by the bolts 5. The bodyportion 36 of each shim 31, 32, instead of being smoothly curved asshown in VH1, is crimpcd or distorted from natural shape in such manneras to tend to urge the tongues 3T outward in the recessed areas The baseshims 31, 32 are preferably split as shown in Fig. VI to provide twotongue sections 38, 39, each section having capacity for independentfienure.

in F IX and X, the head shims 29, 3O employed in this rail joint areclearly shown. as seen in Fig. X, prior to the drawing together of thejoint bars 31) by tightening of the nuts 20 on the center bolts e, theinner end portions l0 of the head s iims 29, 3O bear against the webportions of the oint bars 3?), the body portions ell of the head shims29, 30 assume a smoothly rounded shape, and the tongues e2 projectlaterally outward .in the fishing spaces a the recessed areas 33- of thejoint bars 3?). When the rail joint is completely assembled, as showninFig. IX, the body portions 41 of the head shims 29, 30, instead of beingsmoothly rounded as shown in Fig. I", are crimpcd or distorted fromnatural shape inv such manner as to tend to urge the tongues 42 outwardacross the fishj ect.

4 It will be especially noted that in all of the above examples of myinvention, independently flexible spring shims are utilized at intervalsalong the length of a rail joint and '1 are disposed at the primarybearing regions where wear is most likely to occur. It will also beapparent that, as wear takes place at these regions, the wedge-shapedtongues of the shims are urged outwardly across the fishing spaces'totake up or compensate for such-wear. Accordingly, the rail joint of thisinvention is rendered self-tightening and can continue in, service afterthe joint bars have become unevenly worn, still eifectively trussing therail joint and preventing the condition known. aslow joints from occurring.

V ,lVhile I have described severalembodimentsor examples of myinvention, having reference to specificforms which the joint bars andshims may take, itQwill be apparent that numerous changesniay be made inthe particular form of theseelements, and that certain features of myinvention may at times be used to advantage'withouta correspond- Havingthus described my claim: g l

In a rail. joint, the rails and joint bars, and. a spring shimtherebetween having'a wedge-shaped tongue interposed in the fishingspace between a bar and a rail, said shim being distorted from naturalshape incident" "to the drawing together of the bars when the joint isassembled, whereby'said tongue is constantly urged outwardly across saidfishing, space. I

2. In a rail joint, the rails and joint bars,

8t ing use of other features, all without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as defined in the claims hereto annexed; j

invention, '1 I and a spring shim having a portion bearing against theweb of the rail and a wedge shaped tongue extending acrossthe fishingspace between a bar and a rail, said rail en I ,7 gagin portion of thesh m being changed in t s1 ipe incident to the drawing together of thebars, whereby said tongue is urged outwardly across said fishing space.

3, In'arail joint, the rails and joint bars and a spring shnn having acurved portion bearing against the web of the rail and a.

wedge-shaped tongue extending across the fishing space between a bar anda rail, said 4. In a rail joint, the rails and joint bars,

and a spring shim having a smoothly. curved web portion and awedge-shaped tongue interposed in the fishing space between av bar and arail, the web portion of said shim being flattened against the web ofthe rail incident I to the'drawing together of the bars when the:v

and a spring shim having a smoothly curved web portion and wedge-shapedupperfland lower tongues interposed in the fishing spaces between a barand rail, the web portion of said shim being flattened against the webof the rail incident to the drawing together of the bars when the jointis assembled, whereby said tongues are constantly urged outward acrosssaid fishing spaces.

6. In a rail joint, the rails and joint bars, and a spring shim having asplititongue in the fishing space between a bar and a rail, said shimbeing distorted from natural shape incident to the drawing together ofthe bars when the oint isassembled, and the sections of said splittongue being urged outward across said fishing space.

7. In a rail joint, the rails and joint bars, and spring shimsfittingthe hollow of the rails, one at each end of the joint bar and oneat each rail end, said shims having tongues interposed in the fishingspaces between the bar and rails and being distorted from natural shapeincident to the drawing together of the bars when the joint is assembledwhereby said tongues are constantly urged outward across said fishingspaces.

8. In a railjoint, the rails and joint bars, and spring shims fittingthe hollow of the rails one at each end of the joint bar and oneat eachrail end, saidshims having split tongues in the fishing spaces beneathth rail heads at the ends thereof and above the rail flanges at the endsof the joint bar, and said shims being distorted from natural shapeincident to the drawing together of the bars when the oint is assembledwhereby the sections of said split tongues are urged outward across saidfishing spaces.

- 9. In a rail joint, the rails and joint bars, and spring shims fittingthe hollow of the rails, said shims having wedge-shaped tonguesinterposed in the fishing spaces beneath the rail heads at the endsthereof and above the rail flanges at the ends of the joint bar, andsaid shims having smoothly curved web portions flattened against therail webs incident to the drawing together of the bars when the joint isassembled, whereby said tongues are constantly urged across said fishingspaces.

10. In a rail joint, the rails and oint bars, bolts for fastening thejoint bars to the rails, and a spring shim disposed between a rail andjoint bar, one end of said shim bear ing against a bolt and the otherend of said shim being formed with a tongue extending laterally acrossthe fishing space between said bar and rail, said shim being distortedfrom natural shape incident to its assembly in the rail joint, wherebysaid tongue is urged outwardly across said fishing space.

11; In a rail joint, the rails and joint bars, bolts for fastening thejoint bars to the rails, and spring shims disposed between the rails andjoint bars at intervals of the length of the joint, said shims beingarranged with their inner ends bearing against the bolts and their outerends formed with tongues extendin laterally across the fishing spacesbetween said bars and rails at the center of the joint beneath the railheads and at the ends of the joint above the rail flanges, said shimsbeing distorted from natural shape incident to their assembly in therail joint, whereby said tongues are urged outwardly across said fishingspaces.

12. In a rail joint, the rails, joint bars joining the rail ends, saidbars having recessed areasin their head and foot portions, and springshims disposed between said rails and joint bars, said shims havingtongues extending laterally across th recessed areas of said bars, andsaid shimsbeing distorted from natural shape incident to the drawingtogethor of the bars when the joint is assembled, whereby said tonguesare urged outwardly across said recessed areas of the j ointbars.

in testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, this 21st day of July, 1932.

ROBERT FARIES.

